Pretoria - Gauteng Premier David Makhura is in Namibia for the 2016 Namibia International Investment Conference.
The two-day conference, which ends today under the theme ‘Promoting Investment for Inclusive Growth and Industrialisation’, focused on housing, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, tourism, logistics and energy.
In his speech at the presidential gala dinner on Tuesday, Premier Makhura said the conference has paved the way for stronger economic ties with Namibia.
He urged African businesspeople and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the initiatives and ensure that entrepreneurs and SMMEs have access to economic opportunities beyond borders. This includes integrating the informal sector and township economies into the mainstream of national and regional economies.
Premier Makhura called on Africans to step away from the notion that every problem must be solved by government without help from citizens. Social and economic development, he said, can only be sustainable when it mobilises the energies and resources of citizens and local communities.
“Africa can only advance its development ambitions if it mobilises its people and utilises its own resources in a sustainable and inclusive manner. If we want an Africa in which no country and no person is left out, we must all contribute in our personal capacities and live the dream.”
The Premier said there is no doubt that Africa has made tremendous progress over the past 10 years. However, he said the continent still faces many challenges pertaining to low levels of investment in human capital, lack of adequate infrastructure, absence of supportive innovation ecosystems and economic growth path.
These, Premier Makhura said, need to be addressed in order for Africa to rise in a sustainable and inclusive way.
“In order to address Africa's challenges, we need to push ahead with interventions in areas such as building a democratic culture, ethical leadership that prioritises citizens, sound and enduring institutions that outlive specific leadership personalities and withstand leadership transitions; building infrastructure; promoting economic integration, driving industrialisation and innovation; greater levels of intra-Africa trade and ensuring that growth is inclusive and shared among all citizens of the continent.”
Premier Makhura used his visit to stop by industrial parks, uranium mines and water reclamation plants on Monday morning before the conference’s official programme got underway.
South Africa has always been Namibia's top trading partner for both imports and exports. The two countries have 71 signed agreements and memoranda of understanding.
In 2015, some of the top products Gauteng exported to Namibia included vehicles, electrical machinery and equipment, iron and steel, mineral fuels, pharmaceutical products and furniture, among others. – SAnews.gov.za
